Nick Xenophon seeks Labor support for compromise to save Arena renewable fund
Xenophon says party to oppose $1.3bn cut to Arena and suggests changes to allow agency to recoup some funds or take equity in projects it invests in Nick Xenophon has revealed his party will oppose cuts to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) and propose amendments to allow the agency to recoup some funds or […]
A new type of politics could help prevent climate disaster | Andrew Simms
A UK cross-party initiative addresses the appetite and mechanics for the cooperation needed to help us live within Earth’s limits China and the US’s announcement that they will join the Paris climate accord comes at a time when the UK’s own climate and energy policies appear at best in disarray, and worst at odds. Continue […]
Britain's dormice have declined by a third since 2000, report shows
Effects of habitat loss and climate change mean the future of the tiny native mammal is uncertain Numbers of Britain’s native dormouse have declined by more than a third since 2000, according to the first definitive report on the state of the species. The tiny, golden-brown animals were once widespread throughout England and Wales, but […]
Refuelling at the avian departure lounge
Langstone Harbour, Hampshire For the osprey the fish-rich waters are a welcome place to rest before continuing the 3,000-mile trip to the wintering grounds in Africa As summer fades into autumn the harbour begins to feel like a departure lounge. Migration is in full swing, with birds flying in to wait for a window in […]
Senators vow fresh scrutiny of BP's plans to drill for oil in Great Australian Bight
Greens’ senator Sarah Hanson-Young says there is ‘widespread concern’ in communities near the proposed site and pledges to revive lapsed inquiry BP’s plans to drill for oil in the pristine marine reserve of the Great Australian Bight will come under fresh scrutiny, as senators seek to reinstate a lapsed inquiry examining the company’s proposal. But […]
Campus ought to be where the wildflowers live | Brief letters
When Bill Shankly came knocking | University of Sheffield | Social mobility tsar Bob Lamb’s letter (8 September) reminds me that my Auntie Jean, who lived in Allerton, recounted the arrival of unexpected guests at her door one day in the early 1960s. It was her cousin, Bill Shankly, with his friend, Matt Busby. “We […]
'Good riddance': moving on from the Boxing Day floods
Residents in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire, didn’t need to be asked twice when the Environment Agency offered to buy their flood-ravaged houses Eight-and-a-half months after the river Calder invaded his terrace with such force that the neighbouring travel agency collapsed into the water, Tony Kay was finally able to clear out the house on Thursday. “Good […]
Humans have destroyed a tenth of Earth's wilderness in 25 years – study
Experts warn there may be no unspoilt places left within a century as report shows an area twice the size of Alaska has been lost since 1993 Humans have destroyed a tenth of Earth’s remaining wilderness in the last 25 years and there may be none left within a century if trends continue, according to […]
Researchers discover there are not one – but four species of giraffe
Discovery of genetic differences, using DNA analysis, could boost efforts to save declining populations Researchers have discovered there are not just one but four distinct species of giraffe, overturning two centuries of accepted wisdom in a finding that could boost efforts to save the last dwindling populations. Analysis of DNA evidence from all of the […]
CEPS report: How the circular economy applies to different EU industries
The circular economy has recently become one of the EU’s main policy priorities. In addition to the environmental pressures brought by the traditional linear economy, the main economic reasons to mainstream the concept of the circular economy have been high and volatile commodity prices and potential multi-billion euro economic benefits from new market opportunities. These have […]